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Welder Upgrade

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by FinoCJ, Aug 29, 2020.

  1. Aug 29, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I've been thinking of upgrading my welder for awhile now...In reality, the 110V Lincoln I had was probably good enough, but at a max of 88amps, it was sort of limited to no thicker than 1/8" (according to specs - probably more limited based on user skill). I've looked into a 220V in the garage, but there were complications with the circuit breaker box (no more slots to expand) and some of the needed mods were beyond my interest or budget to pay for....And, most of the 220V welders were out of my budget anyway. But, I decided if I could sell the Lincoln at a decent price, then that would allow for a bit more budget for a 110V upgrade....Well, I must have priced the Lincoln too low, as I was flooded with responses and it sold within 2 hours. Anyway...shopping spree time:
    [​IMG]

    A bigger 110V welder like this Hobart 140 should be well beyond most of what I need (welds up to 1/4"). It gets a lot of great reviews (including from a personal friend who has one) and uses a lot of Miller components. The drive system seems like it is much nicer/durable (less plasticky), and it comes with a drive wheel that can accommodate many more sizes of wire (both flux and solid) than the two sizes (1 solid and 1 flux) I had on the little Lincoln (no intent to bash Lincoln - the Lincoln 140 is probably a very equivalent machine). I set it straight up for use with solid wire and gas. Running small solid wire (.025) as that is what I had for the Lincoln, but might step up to .030 solid wire? I need to make a modification to the cart so the bottle and hose don't interfere as much - so get to play with it a bit.
     
    Glenn, Twin2 and 73 cj5 like this.
  2. Aug 29, 2020
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    I have had my Hobart 140 for about 10 years now, works great, I don't do a lot of welding but the brackets and such that I have welded have come out great.
     
  3. Aug 29, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    The latest Lincoln 140 amp runs on 110 volt and it is a multiprocess unit. It’s the Lincoln 140 MP.
    The biggest advantage it has over Hobart is the infinite amperage control.
    It does not force you to use pegged amp or wire speed settings like many other machines.

    My favorite small machine is the Lincoln 200 squarewave. It runs on 110 or 220 and it can stick weld or Tig weld AC/DC.

    I don’t care for mig because it’s simply a high production weld technique.

    When it comes to thin body work I much prefer oxyacetylene because it will burn through all contamination. Thick Paint, rust or most anything with excellent results.
     
  4. Aug 30, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I've had my Hobart 135 for many years and it has been flawless since day 1. The amp control is numbered 1-2-3-4 but there are not detents at each number. The dial slides smoothly through the entire range so there is more control than it would appear. I was happy about that when I finally went and looked at it first hand, after narrowing my decision down to 3 or 4 options.

    I've welded beyond the the machine's stated capability many times with multiple passes. I would often switch to flux core for heavier work like that. I read that somewhere. Flux core for thicker material if you have a small machine. Maybe a pro can speak to that here.

    Chuck.....oxyacetylene welding...........I'd love to learn that. I'd venture to say that it's a dying art. But I like stuff like that.
     
  5. Aug 30, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This is what I upgraded to https://store.cyberweld.com/miller-...m_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase
    I have no complaints, only compliments. Does what I need it to do, will run 110 or 220 and semi portable. Will do ac or dc welding, will do aluminum and there are no wires to switch, just buttons for settings.

    I have had no issues going from mig to TIG or the suggested set points stored. You can also manually adjust. It will also arc weld

    the resale price of the blue machines is always better. This might be out of your price range, but you do get 3 quality Machines in one. Mig TIG and arc plus 110 and 220.
     
    georgecj6 likes this.
  6. Aug 30, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    The reason I often prefer TIG is that it provides exceptional weld penetration.
    But honestly I just mainly use it for stainless and aluminum.
    The only big drawback is that the metals must be especially clean.
    The technique itself is very relaxing to me and very similar to oxyacetylene welding.

    Note that the MP machines all fall short because they
    only provide DC for TIG usage.
    So a true AC/DC TIG is the only way to go.

    I still do a lot of stick electrode welding.
    It is very useful on thick metals and it also can weld right through a fair amount of dirt, paint rust and grime.
    I have hundreds of thousands of hours of MIG under my belt and it’s great for what it is but the only advantage is high speed production on fairly clean metal.
    Honestly Oxyacetylene is my go to on thin steel and Stick Electrode on thick steel (about 1/8”or over).
    Nothing gets through dirt, paint, rust and grime better than oxyacetylene.
     
  7. Sep 5, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    32784D4B-45FD-45C1-8854-53AA715C20C1.jpeg
    My multipurpose machine does ac and dc tig and buries the tungsten in the puddle like all of them.
     
  8. Sep 5, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    So your saying it’s scratch start ?
     
  9. Sep 5, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    HAHAHAHHAAHAHHA!!!! Nope! My AC/DC Buzzbox with one amperage/no pedal or HV and a valve on the torch body was though!
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2020
    Steve's 70-5 and wheelsontheroof like this.
  10. Sep 5, 2020
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    My god that TIG cup is huge, how in the HE double hockey sticks do you see around that monstrous thing? I don't believe I've ever seen a cup that large.
     
  11. Sep 6, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Well now you have and its a gas lens. Here is your article to show you the capabilities of this newer tool you have never seen before Gas Lens Basics for TIG (GTAW) Applications They make them clear if you like and that's a normal size. It allows a much greater stick out of the tungsten and improved laminar flow of shielding gas. I posted the above pic as a humorous situation that happens occasionally. I am not a professional welder, am self taught and any thread that asks about what welder to buy that has some beginner mistakes in it can show that even with people who have some experience with welding teqniques and processes can make mistakes. Its part of the process of learning and meant show people that mistakes will be made, you learn and move on.
     
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  12. Sep 6, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Yeah that’s a nice looking flex head torch.
    Is it a number 17 ? Air cooled no doubt.
    How many amps is that miller ?
    And you say it’s ac/ dc for tig ?
    How you like your gas lense set up ?

    Here’s my Lincoln #17 air cooled flex head torch.
    Presently with a #7 cup and 1/16” purple tungsten.
    (I believe I was welding stainless exhaust with it last)
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2020
  13. Sep 6, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    So finocj, you made any solid decisions yet ?
    In the meantime it appears we could be using your your post for personal rambling. Oh no !
     
  14. Sep 6, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I sold the little lincoln MIG and bought the bigger hobart 140. I only know a little bit of MIG so while stick and TIG are probably extremely useful, I have no ability to use them. I can barely run MIG as is.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  15. Sep 6, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Yeah certainly nothing wrong with mig.
    It has it’s place and excells at what it does.
    I would suggest that it’s likely the easiest technique to learn .
    Tops for mass production work and easy technique.
    Also ideal for tacking things up.
    Will weld reasonably clean metal and burn through mild contamination using 75% argon /25% CO2 mix.
    Can lay down perfectly smooth beads with proper technique and minimal practice.
    Hobart is a certainly a top choice.
    Hobart, Lincoln or Miller is all a person could ever want.
     
  16. Sep 6, 2020
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I have a miller multimatic 220. Specs are here Multimatic® 220 AC/DC.
    Its a good hobby light fab shop welder. Its easy to use. Air cooled torch head and a 17 style torch head. The gas lens is fine. Its not really better than regular cups. It does allow more stick out and there is less turbulence that can draw in contaminants if your argon is cranked up too high with a traditional cup.

    Honestly, the best accessory I have bought for my TIG welding is a dedicated sharpener. Even though I used a dedicated wheel on a bench grinder that NEVER got touched with anyhitng but tungsten, it would often have a wandering or off center arc that was annoying and made my novice TIG welding obvious.

    The one I bought is just an inexpensive attachment that goes on a dremel and uses a diamond wheel. Make my arc more stable and not prone to wandering.
     
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  17. Sep 6, 2020
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Yes just glanced over those Miller specs.
    Looks like it might qualify as the most versatile machine ever !
    Millers are probably my all time favorites.
    I have never owned one my self but have run many of them for hours on end.
    Often times run wide open at full 450 amps and at top wire speeds.
    You can burn about 50 pounds of .045 wire in 6 hours time.
    Sheesh I’m Glad those days are long gone.

    I’ve only ever bought Lincoln’s because I always got a great deal.
    My last 200 square wave only ran me $1200 with about 1/2 hour of weld time on it.
    Virtually new in the the box.
    The only thing I don’t like about the 200 Lincoln square wave is that it has no post flow control.
    So It’s a serious gas waster.
    That’s especially true when you are tacking things up.
    Other wise if has more features than you really need and it’s very high quality easy to operate.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  18. Sep 6, 2020
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    I'd like to replace my MM35 in the future. I've had the chance to use other machines and I scratch my head because mine doesn't weld like them. :shrug:
     
  19. Sep 6, 2020
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    James, have you had a chance to try the hobart yet? Im curious to see how it works on 3/16 and 1/4 inch steel. I have a lincoln weldpak 100 and its max is only 1/8". I want to upgrade but im torn between 140amp 110v or 180amp+ 220v.
     
  20. Sep 6, 2020
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    I have welded 1/4" material with mine quite a bit, it works fine. I have welded 3/4" diameter shafts to spring plates I made that were 5/16" thick. They seemed to hold up just fine, I had to do a double pass but I had plenty of space for that. 3/16" is no problem at all. I can basically weed anything on a jeep frame with no problem and the welds are clean. My 20 hydraulic press was the first thing I built with mine 10 years or so ago, it is all 1/4" to 5/16" material and has held up fine under all the abuse.
     
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